International Dragon World Championships 2019

Fremantle, Australia…Where The World Comes To Sail!!

Ever since the late 16th century sailors from Europe have fully appreciated the sailing conditions along the coast of Western Australia. Back then the seafarers of the day ventured forth from Holland, Spain, Portugal and France in their search for riches, their sailing adventures bringing them to the edge of Australia.

In the 19th century it was the British who arrived at the mouth of the Swan River to establish the new port city of Fremantle. Even in those times the prevailing Sou-Wester, known today as the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ provided exciting winds on a daily basis.

Now 200 years on Dragon sailors of the world are invited to venture forth from all corners of the globe to come and test their sailing prowess in what has often been described with these words…

“these would have to be the best sailing conditions in the world”

The Fremantle sailing regatta area is a superb stretch of water located a short distance south-west of the Port of Fremantle, with shelter from the deep ocean swells provided by the offshore Carnac and Garden Islands. The result is a sailing arena that is tide free, with good winds in the 10-20 knot range and a small wind chop…ideal conditions for Dragon racing!

The host venue for the Worlds will be the Fremantle Sailing Club, a club that is at the cutting edge in the provision of outstanding regatta facilities. Jointly hosting this event will be the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, the home base for the Dragon class in Western Australia.

Between these two clubs they have hosted numerous National and International sailing events, a selection of which includes:

1995 – World Dragon Championships

2006 – World Etchell Champonships

2009 – ISAF World Team Racing Championships

2011 – ISAF World Sailing Championships

Sailing Arena and Conditions…

Fremantle is renowned throughout the world for its unique sailing conditions. Having hosted numerous world class events there is now a vast pool of race management expertise, with a wealth of skill and knowledge that will deliver a world championship program of the highest order.

The race track lies between the mainland and Carnac Island, an area that provides superb sailing conditions in these protected and pristine waters.

With the regatta scheduled to be sailed in late December 2018 and into the first week of January 2019, the prevailing summer conditions generally produce clear, sunny skies with a typical daily average temperature of 28 - 34° Celsius.

On the water the ocean conditions present a low chop on a mild swell. On most mornings there is an easterly, off-shore breeze that varies between 5 – 15 knots. By midday you can expect the world famous “Fremantle Doctor” to be on the scene, a cooling south westerly sea breeze that ranges in velocity from 10 – 20 knots.

The best that can be said is that this sailing area provides a level playing field for all competitors…a fair test of sailing prowess for both local sailors and visitors from afar.

Sailing on this race track is one for the ‘bucket list’ of all international sailors…its an experience you won’t forget…and one well worth the investment to get to Fremantle.

Three Events to Enjoy…

Here in Fremantle we understand the distance to get to this very special sailing location, so to make it well worth your while we have three sailing events scheduled over a 4 week period, all events that you are welcome to compete in.

West Australian State Dragon Championship: December 14,15,16 2018

Australian Dragon Championship: December 29, 2018 to January 2, 2019

World Dragon Championship: January 4 – 10, 2019

…all up 23 exciting Dragon races over 4 weeks!!

Fremantle…A Lonely Planet Top 10 City

In October 2015, Fremantle was named in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016, ranking Fremantle as the 7th best city in the world, with Western Australia also being listed as one of the best-value destinations for 2016.

Located just 30 minutes form Perth’s city centre, Fremantle is a bustling, dynamic port city renowned for its mix of quality cafes and restaurants wrapped in a tapestry of art and live music. It’s a waterfront town bulging with character provided by craft beer breweries, seafood shacks, beaches and buskers.

This is just a wonderful location to enjoy a Summer Christmas break, a place to relax and indulge and all within walking distance of Fremantle Sailing Club.

So with this, we invite you to Come Down Under for the Dragon Worlds in 2019…